And he had always needed someone like her, Sorin thought, arms cradling his head. The reflection of innocence in a chain of women, the echo of a wife dead and gone. Useless love.
The Master turned on Sorin and, although he would not look, the thought of what loomed before him made him quake: a horrifying variation of Elite beauty, distorted by rage.
Can’t she see I’m making things so much easier for her tonight? he asked his son. So much easier for all of us?
No, Master. Sorin shook his head. She does not see.
He bowed lower, wishing the monster away.
She will never see….
TWENTY-THREE
THE UNDERGROUND OF HOLLYWOOD, 1984
L ONG live the new Robby Pennybaker,” the Elite vampires said in chorus, lifting their flutes of warm blood.
As they toasted their newest member, their robes shimmered, the colors and textures reminding Benedikte of far harbors and exotic markets. Behind the Elites, in the emporium’s background, Groupies applauded, strewn around the steamy room like cats, resting on and rubbing up against each other.
These newer creatures didn’t have the Elites’ “class,” Benedikte thought. Instead, the Groupies were trendy beings, dressed in netlike material, their hair streaked with neon colors and gelled into odd styles. They’d been created by Geneva and Ginny before the equally frivolous twin vampires had adventured to the Old World years ago.
Yes, Benedikte ruled over them all, resting on a cushioned seat on a dais. He’d wanted to be here for this celebration, so he’d shifted into Sorin’s shape, as he often did anyway. His real son was hidden in the private rooms so that none of the Groupies would be aware of the body doubling. However, since “Dr. Eternity” had been the one to turn every Elite into a vampire, the stars all knew when Benedikte was with them. They’d vowed never to reveal his presence—a security precaution.
He scanned all of his dear family, keeping his eye on one in particular: Eva.
His veins sang at the sight of her. It felt like his heart was cracking open and humming at the same time.
She was amidst the toasting Elites, holding Robby as the child vampire clung to her dress. When her gaze connected with Benedikte, he motioned her to him.
While she moved through her brethren—oh, how she moved—she brought Robby with her. The twelve-year-old was shrinking away from his sibling Elites as they reached out to congratulate him. But all he wanted was Eva.
A spear of…jealousy?…dug into Benedikte at the sight of her taking care of the boy. She did it so easily. Why couldn’t she show Benedikte the same kind of simple affection?
Eva and Robby climbed up the steps; she bowed and saluted. The boy would learn about Underground etiquette later.
“Master,” Eva said, blond hair sliding down over her face as she held her fingers to her forehead. It hid her expression.
“Sit with me.”
She stood, revealed, giving her maker a friendly smile while leading Robby to a chair next to Benedikte’s.
As she started to go to her master, the boy said, “Eva?” and held out his thin arms for her to stay.
Benedikte smiled at his new son. Robby, a precocious child star who had gone through a rebellious stage just before his vampiric change. He had grown his black hair into shapeless nonconformity and pierced his nose and eyebrow, too.
A boy vampire. Unnatural.
Benedikte’s smile dimmed as he shifted his gaze to Eva. He’d only done this for her.
Keeping her distance, she sat on the arm of Robby’s chair, resting a hand on the boy’s shoulder. She seemed as content as always; in the year she’d been Underground, that’s how she always behaved, even when Benedikte caught the lonely splinters in her gaze.
Still…“You’re not pleased?” he asked.
“Of course I am.” She squeezed Robby’s shoulder as he stared adoringly up at her.
Benedikte nodded at the boy. “He’s calmed down now. You have a good effect on him.”
She’d been in the private rooms when Robby had first been brought here. Since the boy had given them trouble during his fake murder—Robby had attacked an innocent bystander and almost exposed his vampirism to the public—Sorin had been forced to ease Robby’s mind to blankness as he’d been transported Underground. It was an aberration nobody enjoyed. Then Eva had met them in the private rooms and helped to pacify Robby when the shock of change had fully hit.
That had been hours ago. It’d taken that long for their new vampire to stop screaming.
Even though Eva kept smiling at Benedikte, she used their exclusive maker/high-child Awareness to express her true feelings.
Did you think of the consequences when you turned a human child? He’s going to always have this body, Benedikte.
Shot down, he didn’t answer for a moment.